NC Politics in the News

May 18, 2020

Pardon Our Dust

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Agriculture

WCTI 12: NC taking additional steps to protect food processing plant workers from coronavirus
After witnessing outbreaks at food processing plants in other states and receiving reports of cases among workers in our state, North Carolina public and private leaders have come together to take swift action to protect workers here from COVID-19.


Economic Development

GASTON GAZETTE: Massive development eyed at Charlotte airport, Wilkinson
Gaston County residents traveling east across the Catawba River could see a new development at the entrance to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in the next 10 years that would tie in to a proposed light rail line that would run from Belmont into Uptown and eventually Matthews.

WRAL: Filed for unemployment? The NC Senate wants to hear about your experience
A General Assembly committee that meets Monday put out the call late this week for public comment on the state’s unemployment system.

WLOS: Only 2.5% of NC small businesses received federal relief funds, study shows
Small business owners across North Carolina account for just 2.5% of Paycheck Protection loans issued by the nation’s program.


Education

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Alternate days for students? Screening for sickness? How NC schools could look in fall
North Carolina’s 1.5 million public school students could split their time next fall going to school on some days and learning from home the rest of the time to try to maintain social distancing.

THE LAURINBURG EXCHANGE: UNC Board of Governors makes Ramsey permanent chairman
Beaufort businessman Randy Ramsey has been elected permanent chairman of the University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors.


Healthcare

WJHL: NCDHHS: Over 18K COVID-19 cases in North Carolina, 659 deaths
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has reported there are 18,512 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state on Sunday.

WFMY NEWS: NC health officials release guidelines for overnight summer camps to prevent COVID-19
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said as North Carolina moves into phase 2, there will be a modified order which allows overnight camps to open.


Government

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Federal judge blocks NC governor’s restrictions on religious services
A federal judge’s order Saturday allows North Carolina religious leaders to open their doors to their congregations, in spite of the governor’s warning that they risk spreading coronavirus.

CBS 17: NC General Assembly returns for legislative session Monday
The North Carolina legislature is resuming its annual session, two weeks after meeting to approve a $1.6 billion package that distributed COVID-19 funds from Washington.

ABC 11: Several NC state parks hit max capacity as state considers reopening in Phase 2
State Parks reopened May 9 under Phase 1 of Governor Roy Cooper’s executive order. This weekend, several state parks were full including Raven Rock, Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock, which reached capacity by Sunday at 11 a.m.


Transportation

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NCDOT suspends Piedmont train service between Raleigh and Charlotte to save money
The cash-strapped state Department of Transportation is suspending Piedmont passenger train service between Raleigh and Charlotte to save money.